Bean-sorting machine.



P. L. DAY.

BEAN SOBTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED un. zo. 1914.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914, n. u N 4 sums-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS C0., FHOTO-LIYHCL. WSHINGDN, D. C.

P. L. DAY.

BEAN SORTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION Hmm APB. zo, 1914.

1,105,890, Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

4 BEBBTBBHEBT 2.

i f' l THENORRS PETERS Cb.. PHOTULITHO.. WSNINUTUN, D. C.

P. L. DAY.

BEAN SORTING MACHINE.

APPLxuATIoN FILED APR. zo, 1914.

1,105,890. Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS COM PHOTO'LITHO. WSHINGON. n. CV

P. L. DAY.

BEAN SORTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED APB. zo, 1914.

1,105,890.; Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

UNITED srArEs i PATENT oEErcE.;

IPARKlL. DAY, OF FRAZEE, 1V.[I1\T1\TIEIS0T.B.,` ,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK KIENE,` 0F

KENNEDY, MICHIGAN. l.

BEAN-SORTING MACHINE.

Specification of Lettersatent.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

Application led April 20, 1914. Serial No. 833,241.

To `all 'whom it may concern Be it known that LPARK L. DAY, cltlzen of the United States, residing at Frazee, 1n the county of Becker and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bean-Sorting Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of. the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichy it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide a highly efficient machine for sortingbeans or similar` articles, which, when in perfect form, have smooth surfaces, and which, when in` imperfect form, have shriveled` or rough surfaces, and to such ends, generally stated, the invention vconsists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described anddelined in the claims.`

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved machine, some parts `being broken away, showing some of the exposed parts in1sect1on; Fig. 2 is a right side elevation of the improved machine, with some parts removed, some parts broken away, showing Vsome of the exposed part-s in section; Fig. 3 1s a longitudinal vertical section taken on the irregularline m3 m3 of Fig. 1, with some parts broken away, showing some of 4t-he exposed parts in section; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the irregular line m4 m4 of Fig. 1, with some of the underlying parts broken away, showing `some of the exposed parts in section; Fig. 5 is a det-ail view, partly 1n side elevation, and partly in verticalsection, taken on the line m5 m5` of Fig. 4,1 on antenlarged scale; Fig. 6 is a detail view, prin` cipally in vertical section, takenon the loblique line ce mf of Fig. 4, on `anenlarged scale; Fig. 7 is a detail view, partlyin elevation and partly in vertical section, taken on t-he line :1:7 aa? of Fig. 4, on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 8 is a `detail view in horizontal section, taken onthe irregular linear8 w8 The nuo-"eral, 1 indicates a rectangular skeleton framework from whichthe parts of the machine are supported, either directly or indirectly. To the front of this framework 1 is secured a vertically extended leg or spout 2 which leads from an `oversuitable source of supply. The` lower end of this spout 2 is closed and terminates considerably above the floor line. Mounted in the spout 2, at a point substantially `in the plane of the top of the framework 1, is a horizontal slide or gate 3 provided for cutting off the supply of beans from the storage bin when the machineis not running. Normally this gate 3 is open and. the spout 2 completely filled with beans.

To the front end of the framework 1 is rigidly secured a pair` of upright laterally spaced posts 4 and 5 which extend from the top vto the bottom of the machine intermediately `between the sides thereof. The post 4 is in close contact with the adjacent side of the spout 2 to form a solid wall,`the purpose of which will presently appear. 'lo the inner faces-of the front and rear end sections of the framework l is rigidly secured, respectively,a plurality, as shown, five, rails (3 and 7. '1`hese rails are set oblique and the members of each set vertically spaced, one above the other. Opposite pairs of these rails 6 and 7 extend in the same plane.

lVorking between each pair of rails 6 and 7, and `over the uppermost of said pairs, is a plurality (as shown, live) of endless belts 8. These belts 8 extend longitudinally between the posts 4 and 5, substantially the full length of the framework 1, and run over, at their receiving ends, relatively large` rollers 9, andat their delivery ends, over relatively small trunnion-equipped rollers 10. The rollers 9 are keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to shafts 1l journaled in horizontally alined bearings 12, removably secured to the front faces of the posts 4 and 5. The trunnions of the rollers 1() are journaled in bearings 13 mounted for horizontal sliding movement in longitudinally extended yokelike brackets 14. The ends of each pair of these brackets 14 are rigidly secured to the inner end of a horizontally extended deck 15 over which runs the upper portion of the respective belt `8.` As best shown in Fig. 5, the brackets 14 form longitudinal extensions of the deck 15, rest directly on the upper edges of the rails 7 and thereby support the inner ends ofthe deck 15. The outer ends `of the decks 15 rest on the rails 6. Belt tighteners'of extremely simple construction are provided for placing the belts 8 under different tensions. Each of these beltv tighteners comprises a nut-equippedv bolt 16 passed through alined p'erforations in the transverse portions of the brackets 14 and the outer end portions of the bearings 12. The heads of these bolts impinge against the brackets 14 and the'nuts thereof are anchored in the bearings 12 and are vheld thereby against rotation.l f

Hereafter the belts 8 will be referred to as bean-distributing belts and beans are delivered onto the receiving ends thereof from the spout 2 through oblique ports 17 formed in the post 4 and adjacent -side of said spout.. Vertieally extended `laterally spaced sideg plates 18 are `extended .between the posts 4l and 5 with. their lower edges overlying and closely engaging the upper portions of the bean-distributing belts 8. rThese plates 18,3

together vwith the inner faces of the posts 4 and 5,1afl'ord bottomless pockets 19, underl which travel the upper portions of the beandistributing belts 8, and into which the'beansl flow from the ports 17. In the lower'longitudinal ledge of the inner plates 18 is cut a i port 20, through which pass the beans fromV the kpockets 19. Cooperating with each of' theseports 2O is a gate 21 provided for regulating theamount of beans passing through said ports. These gates 21 are mounted for vertical sliding movement in guides 22 se-:i cured to the inner faces of the inner platesf 18, and are held in diiferentlverticaladjustments by bell-cranklevers 23 -and co-I TV operating segments 24. The levers 23 are journaled in bearings 25 on the post 5 and' are connected to the gates l21 by links'26. The segments 24 are ysecured 'to the post 5. It is important to note that the delivery ends of the lports 17 are locatedbelow the' naled in bearings 31 on the framework 1.:

The trunnions'32 of therollers 29 are journaled in bearing boxes, slidably mounted in longitudinally extended seats l34 formed in the lowermost ends of the railsf6 and 7 .l The bearing boxes 33 are yieldingly pressed' toward the lower outer ends of the seats 34 by adjustable coiled springs 35S-compressed between said boxesand the upper inner ends of said seats.. Obviously, these springs` afford belt tighteners for-the yaprons 27 The .apronsf 27 are held 'transversely stretched by guides 36,o11the inner faces of the rails 6 and 7, and having formed therein longitudinally extended channels 37 with..y contracted. entrance passages. The longitudinal edges of the sorting aprons 27 .run in thesey channels 37 .and are held against removal therefrom by .cords or small ropes .38, sewed, or otherwise secured, the,-

rolled longitudinal edges of said aprons.

To permit the rolled edges of the sorting y aprons 27 to be removed or placed ,within the channels 37, the-guides 36"'are provided with removable sections 39 vheld in position n by screws 40. The guides 36""alsofprevent the beans on the sorting aprons 27 .from rolling olftheedgest-hereof.y l

l All of the Aaprons 27 are drivenv inv a direction so that theirupper portions travel upward `and all of "the"bean-distributing belts 8 are driven so 4thattheirupper porf tions travel"transversely outward over said;- aprons by the following connections, to-wit: The trunnion of the lowermost Yof lthe rollsalv ers-28 at the front of the machine is relatively long and has` keyed, or otherwise secured thereto, a pulley 4.41,overwhich runs la driving belt, not shown. Thelowermost of the rollers 28 is driven` directfromthe pulleyA 41.

The'remaining rollersi28 are driven from an upright *counter-shaft" 42Y l through intermeshing bevel gears 43. lllhis countershaft 442 .is journaled in'bearings 44 onV the framework 1 andreceives' mot-ion from lthe-directly driven roller 28', through intermeshing bevel gears 45. `The shafts 11` i are all driven in ithe saine direction by a` Vcountershaft 46 'and f intermeshing bevel..

gears 47 .i The countershaft 46 extends pary allel to the'countershaft 42 andis ournaled in bearings 48 -on the post'5. The counter-l shaft 46 lis driven fromthe countershaft 42 by a sprocket chain'49 which .runsyover horizontally alined sprocket wheels 50 and K' 51 .on the upper ends of the countershafts 42 and 46, respectively.` The .sprocket ,wheel 50 is relativelyv small' andis'fsecured y for rotation with thev countershaftl 42 and the i sprocket wheel 51 isfrelativelylarge and is loosely journaled on theV countershaft 46.

A' clutch k52v provided for locking the sprocket wheel 51 for rotationv with the countershaft 46`is slidably mounted on said countersha'ftbutis'held for yrotation therewith. The clutch 52 ismoved into and out of interlocking lever 53 fulcrumed at 54 to theframework 1. Coperating,withv the free "arm,v of the lever 53 is a notched segment 55 provided for holding saidlever lindifferent positions. rThe outer end portion of the trunnion 30 to engagement with` the sprocket wheel 5 1 by a .bell-crankV shipper whichthe ,pulley41 is secured' is vjournaled i in a bearing 56, on a floor-supported pedf estal 57 Beans arescraped lfrom the vr.distributing belts 8 at ypredeterminedintervals by ya plucut transversely through the decks 15. The

blades 59 also extend oblique with respect to the directionof travel of the belts 8 and by adjusting the slides 59 in the seats 60` may be made to project more or less `over said belts. The ends of the blades 59 are set in staggered arrangement longitudinally of f the belts 8, so that the deflectcrs nearest the receiving ends of theibelts 8 `will scrapeof a few of the beans deposited thereon. The next `set of deflectors will scrape off a few more of said beans and so on until only a few beans on the belts 8 willpassthe last set of deflectors. beans will be delivered over the inner ends of the belts 8, which terminate short of the adjacent longitudinal edges of the aprons 27. `By this arrangement the beans are evenlydistributed.transversely over the inclined upwardly moving surfaces ofthe aprons 27. To prevent the beans from roll ing oil' Vfrom the longitudinal edges of the belts 8 `on the opposite sides from the defleetors, the decks 15 are provided with vertical eXtensions 61.

The goed beans delivered onto` the in` clined upwardly moving surfaces of the aprons 27, owing to their shape and smoothness, will roll downward on said aprons and over the lowermost ends thereof. All bad beans, having shriveled surfaces, and all broken beans will be carried upward on said aprons and delivered over the same.

All goed beans drop onto a downwardly and inwardlyinclined deflector 62 which extends parallel with and below the lowermost .of`

the rollers 29, which delivers the same `into a horizontally.extended trough 63 extended longitudinally of the framework 1. The bad beans also drop onto a downwardly and inwardly inclined defiector 64E arranged similar to the deflector 62 and are delivered therebyA into a trough 65 which extends parallel with the trough 63.` Mounted in each trough G3 and 65 is a horizontally extended endless belt conveyor G6 arranged to run over idle rollers, G6, journaled in the inner ends of the troughs 63 and `G5, and over driven rollers 67 keyed to a co1nmon shaft G8, journaled in bearings G9 on the front of the framework 1. The shaft 68 is driven from the lowermost of the shafts 1l by a pair of interineshing spurgears 70, one of which is secured to said shaft 11, and the other of which is secured to a short shaft 71, journaled in bearings 72 onythe post 4. A. sprocket chain 73 runs over a pair fof vertically alined sprockets 74.

These remaining and 75, respectively, on the shafts 71 and` 68. The driving connections just described are such as to cause the conveyer belts 66 to travel in the direction of the arrows marked on Figs. 1 and 2. The good and bad beans delivered onto their respective conveyors 6G` are delivered into the lower ends of elevator legs 76, at the front of the machine, Mounted in each of these elevator legs 76 isa bucket-equipped elevator belt 77 `provided for carrying the sorted beans to a distant point. The lower rollers 7S over which the elevator' 77' runs are driven from the shaft (3S by sprocket chains, not shown, which run over` sprocket wheels 79 `on the shaft G8 and sprocket wheels, not

shown, on the shafts of the rollers 7 S.

Thegood beans delivered from the sorting aprons 27 are directed onto the doilector G2 by a curtain S0 of canvasor other suitable material. rlhis curtain is suspended at its upper edge from a horizontally extended rod 81 anchored at its ends to the framework 1. The curtain is spacedoutward from the rollers 29 a distance sufficient to permit freepassage of the beans therebetween, and its lower end hangs loosely within the deflector 62. To hold the curtain pulled straight down, a `metal rod 82 is secured within its lower longitudinal edge portion. The purpose ofmaking this curtain 80 of a pliable material is to prevent the beans from bouncing when they strike the same.` The bad beans delivered over the rollers 29 are directed to the dellector 64 by a frame 88, hinged at its lower longitudinal edge to the deflector 6ft, for movements to ward and from the framework 1. A curtain or facing 84 is secured to the inner surface of the frame 83 and serves the same purpose as the curtain 80. This curtain or facing Se will also be constructed from the same material as that from which the curtain 8O is made. lVhen the machine is in operation the frame S3 is held in an upright position by a long hook and cooperating eye 85, at each end thereof. A second set of eyes, located inward from the first set is provided for receiving the hooks to hold the frame 83 drawn inward in close engagement with the uppermost of the rollers 2S when the machine is not in use.

Cooperating with each port 1.7 is a gate 8G mounted for horizontal sliding movement in guides 87 within the spout liy the use of these gates 8G the supply of beans to any one pocket may be cut off, thereby throwing out of action the cooperating belts Sand 27, and thus reducing the capacity of the machine. ln the drawings live cooperating belts 8 and 27 are shown but it is, of course, understood that any number may be provided depending ou the capacity of the machine required. The belts 8 and 27 are preferably constructed from heavy Yio canvas but it is, of course, understood kthat' any other suitable material may be used.

AThe above described bean sorting machine has kbeen put liny successful commercial use.

V'Vhat l .claim yis l. A sorting machine ofthe kind de' scribed, including a traveling endless apron, having an upwardly moving inclined surface, a traveling endless bean-distributing belt workingv transversely yover said apron,

andfmeans causing the beans to roll fromr gate-equipped openbottom pocket overlying. .the receiving end of said belt, a feed spout arranged to deliver beans into said pocket, and means causing the'beans to roll from said distributing beltl onto said upwardly moving inclined`surface,wliereby the bad beans will be vcarried on said surface over kthe highest point of travel thereof, and thegood beans will roll therefrom over the lowest pockets.

point of travel thereof. y

' 3. A sorting machine vof the kindl described, including a plurality fof 'traveling endless aprons, each having an upwardly moving inclined surface, a traveling endless bean-distributing. belt working transversely over each of said aprons, means causing the beans to roll from said distributing belt onto `said f upwardly moving inclined surfaces,

whereby the bad beans will be carried on said surfaces owr the highest point of travel thereof and tliefg'ood beans will roll therefrom over the lowest point of travel thereof,-

a gate-equipped open bottom, pocket overlying the receiving .end of each of said distributing belts, a feed spout, and gate-equipped. 4said feed spout with saidv ports connecting et. A sorting machine of the kind dev scribed, including a traveling endless apron havingL an upwardly moving inclined surface, a traveling endless rbean-distributiifi'g belt working transverselyover said: apron,

and a plurality ofdeflectors for scraping the beans from saiddistributing belt onto said upwardly moving inclined surface, whereby the bad beans willbe carried on said surface over.l

' the highest point of travel thereof, and the good beans will roll therefrom over the lowest point of travel thereof.

5. A sorting machine of the kind described, including va traveling endless apron having an upwardly moving inclined surface, a traveling endless bean-distributing belt working transversely ,overl said apron, and a plurality of deflector blades in staggered arrangement, set oblique in respect to the, direction of travell of said upwardly t moving inclined surface,for lscraping the ybeans from said distributing belt onto said 4upwardly moving inclined surface, whereby the bad beans willbe carried on'said surface over the highest point of travel thereof, and the' good` beans will. roll therefrom over the 'lowest pointl of travel thereof,v n

6. A sorting machine lof the kind described, including a traveling endless' apronhaving 1an upwardly moving', inclined surface, a traveling endless bean-distributing ybelt working transverselyover saidaproma n plurality of dellector blades in staggeredarrangement, set oblique in respect to the direction of travel of said upwardly moving inclined surface, for scraping the beans `from said distributing belt ont-o said upwardly moving inclined surface, whereby the bad beans will be carriedon said surface over the highest vpoint of ytravel thereof, and the goodbeans will roll therefrom vover the lowest point of travel thereof, and means for adjusting said defle'ctor blades transversely n of said belt.y

y 7. A` sortingpmachine ofthe' kindy described, including a traveling endless-apron having an upwardly moving inclined sur-- face, a traveling endless bean-distributing gate-equipped open-bottom pocket overlying the receiving end of said belt, a feed spout arranged to 'deliverbeans into said pocket, and a plurality'o-f deflectors for scraping the vbelt working transverselyfover saidaproma beans from saidl distributingbelt onto said upwardly movingv inclined surface, whereby the bad ,beans will be carried onk said surface over the highest point of travel thereof,

and the vgood beans will roll therefrom'over the lowest point of travel thereof. v l

* 8. A sorting machine of thel kind described, incliiding a plurality V of traveling endless aprons, each having an upwardly movinginclined surface, a traveling endless bean-distributing` belt working transversely over each of said aprons, a pluralityof deflectors for scraping the beans from said distributing belts onto said upwardly moving inclined sui-faces, whereby the bad beans willv be carried on said lsurfaces over the highest points of travel thereof, and the good beans will roll therefrom over the lowest points of travelthereof, a feed spout, and

gateequipped ports insaid spout, arranged to deliver onto the receiving endsv of said bean-distributingI belts.

9. A- sorting machine ofthe kind de-y scribed, including a plurality of `traveling endless aprons, each having an ,upwardly moving inclined surface, a traveling endlessv bean-distributing belt working transversely over each of said aprons, a plurality of deiio4 izo

fleetors for scraping the beans from said distributing belts onto said upwardly moving inclined surfaces, whereby the bad beans will be carried on said surfaces over the highest points `of travel thereof, and the good beans n will roll therefrom over the lowest points of travel thereof, a gate-equipped open bottom pocket overlying the receiving end of each of said distributing belts, a feed spout, and ports connecting' said feed spout with said pockets.

l0. A `sortingmachine of the kind described, including a plurality of traveling endless aprons, each having `an upwardly moving inclined surface, a traveling endless bean-distributing `belt working transversely over each of said aprons, a plurality of defleetors for scraping the beans from said distributing belts onto said upwardly moving inclined surfaces, whereby the bad `beans will be carried on said surfaces over the highest points of travel thereof, `and the good beans will roll therefrom over the lowest points of travel thereofl a gate-equipped open bottom pocket overlyingthe receiving end of each of said distributing belts, a feed spout,` and gate-equipped ports connecting said feed spout with said pockets.

In testimony whereofl affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

\ i PARK L. DAY.

Witnesses:

WVM. EsruNsoN, HERMAN LEHMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of 19e/cents1 Washington, D. C3? 

